11-96-50 ICI Wilton Works Middlesbrough

1959 COA.jpg By the late 1960s, Martins Bank has eight Branches and sub-Branches in Middlesbrough, giving the Bank almost unrivalled coverage of this part of Yorkshire. In keeping with its desire to provide banking in the workplace, the Bank opens a new office at the Imperial Chemical Insutries plant at Wilton, in 1959. Wilton Works sub-Branch exists for the exclusive use of the employees of ICI. It joins other specialist site Branches such as AYLESFORD PAPER MILLS, HOLY ISLAND BANKING SERVICE and the “WAGES THROUGH THE BANK” scheme operated at REDCAR. This tiny sub-Branch is situated in Wilton Works Labour Department.

In Service: 1959 until 29 October 1999

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-3224

Unusually for 1959 the counter is fitted with a bandit screen, despite the extra security of being located in an employees only area. It does appear however, that the grille might not be covered when the Bank is unoccupied, thereby serving a dual purpose and a warning to anyone wanting to leap over the counter! At the time of the merger with Barclays in 1969, Wilton Works Sub operates for sixteen hours each week, spread across four days. The service continues for a further THIRTY years, but sadly this office of the Bank misses out on making it into the twenty-first Century by just two months…